Second Sunday of Advent
Reading I: Baruch 5:1-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Reading II: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord in his first coming in history. He proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. His times might have been like ours. He met a world which did not live up to God’s plan. There was political unrest with extremist groups. Criminality was rampant as we learn from the parable of the Good Samaritan or from two criminals crucified with Jesus. Family life was far from ideal. We can only surmise that he must have said, things must change, life cannot go on like this, it will ruin the country, it will destroy the moral fiber of our people.
Each one of us is called to do our bit in preparing the way of the Lord to come a second time. We want a new way of life. Advent helps us to keep our eyes directed toward this. We prepare the way of the Lord. We have to know clearly where the road is and where it will be leading. We were told to make his path straight. Every valley must be filled in, every mountain laid low. Rough roads must be made smooth. Advent is not only the time to repent for our sinfulness before God. It makes us reflect on what needs conversion in us, what causes some people to be turned off by us.
Efren Tomas
In 2004, Father Efren arrived on Maui, Hawaii to be the Pastor of Christ The King Catholic Church in Kahului, Maui until 2012. He calls Christ The King his home because this was his first parish in Hawaii.
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